Middlewich Narrowboats

[chrislyn]

Narrowboat Hirers please help

 

I have just bought a great name in the narrowboat hire industry

 

MIDDLEWICH NARROWBOATS

 

I have been a customer with this company myself many times over the last twenty years and always had a fantastic time but I have heard mixed reviews from recent hirers.

 

I really would like to understand the company’s reputation.

Have you hired from us? What can you tell me about our reputation? Would you hire again, why?

 

Any other advice gratefully received. There is a lot to do at Middlewich Narrowboats for next season to make sure that our hirers have a great time, It will be done. Thank you all for your help

 

Greg

Hi Greg

 

Have never hired from Middlewich but moor in the area and have visited hire base. A female point of view, I would just say this, first impressions count, both with the site, reception area etc, and the look of the boats. Please, please replace the curtains. I know they've had them years and they look filthy!!

[Albion]

Albion, your information is out of date. That was probably the case before the last change of ownership, but several brand new boats and also an ex Challenger hire boat have been added to the fleet in recent years, the latter being complete with welded on washers, trad back cabin (albeit the wash basin in the table cupboard was a little naff.... ) speedwheel controls etc. Agreed, there were certainly some older boats still operating last time I was that way, but it wasn't the whole fleet by a long way.

 

snipped

 

You are undoubtedly correct and I did say in my very first reply that it was some time since I had been that way HOWEVER doesn't the very fact that I, who has had an intense interest in the canals for over 30 years now, who has taken every magazine for years until cutting down to one recently, who contributes to several canal web groups (not just this one) and whose views were supported in many of the early posts on this thread by other like-minder people (so they must have believed the same) was unaware of their recent improvements according to what you tell us. So what does that tell us about their marketing of their product?

Out of interest I've just looked at their latest advert in WW and it says nothing at all about the boats, merely that you can hire all year round. We already know that some of the old boats are still in the fleet and yet there is no mention of any newer boats in their ads. This seems very strange for a company that is trying to lose a previous poor reputation (a reputation confirmed by quite a few posters in this thread). Or were they blissfully unaware of that reputation? If that is the case then again their marketing and customer feedback wasn't that good IMO. One thing you ALWAYS ask for from customers is their views on your product just after they have purchased and used it (and I say this as someone who owned and ran a customer facing business for over 20 years). If you don't you will potentially live in ignorance of problems and wonder why you don't get much repeat custom. It's not rocket science.

 

IMO, the new owner should separate the two fleets and market them to two differing market places. If they don't, then any customer dissatisfaction with the older fleet risks tarring the whole fleet with the same brush. The only image that I have in my mind is of old, tired, red and green boats and I'm confident I won't be the only one because, to the best of my knowledge, I've never been informed of anything else.

Roger

[CHUGALONG HIRE COMPANY]

Hi Greg

 

Have never hired from Middlewich but moor in the area and have visited hire base. A female point of view, I would just say this, first impressions count, both with the site, reception area etc, and the look of the boats. Please, please replace the curtains. I know they've had them years and they look filthy!!

Consider it done

 

You are undoubtedly correct and I did say in my very first reply that it was some time since I had been that way HOWEVER doesn't the very fact that I, who has had an intense interest in the canals for over 30 years now, who has taken every magazine for years until cutting down to one recently, who contributes to several canal web groups (not just this one) and whose views were supported in many of the early posts on this thread by other like-minder people (so they must have believed the same) was unaware of their recent improvements according to what you tell us. So what does that tell us about their marketing of their product?

Out of interest I've just looked at their latest advert in WW and it says nothing at all about the boats, merely that you can hire all year round. We already know that some of the old boats are still in the fleet and yet there is no mention of any newer boats in their ads. This seems very strange for a company that is trying to lose a previous poor reputation (a reputation confirmed by quite a few posters in this thread). Or were they blissfully unaware of that reputation? If that is the case then again their marketing and customer feedback wasn't that good IMO. One thing you ALWAYS ask for from customers is their views on your product just after they have purchased and used it (and I say this as someone who owned and ran a customer facing business for over 20 years). If you don't you will potentially live in ignorance of problems and wonder why you don't get much repeat custom. It's not rocket science.

 

IMO, the new owner should separate the two fleets and market them to two differing market places. If they don't, then any customer dissatisfaction with the older fleet risks tarring the whole fleet with the same brush. The only image that I have in my mind is of old, tired, red and green boats and I'm confident I won't be the only one because, to the best of my knowledge, I've never been informed of anything else.

Roger

we are roughly of the same opinion

[MartinClark]

EDIT: try as I may, when I type a letter b followed by a bracket it comes out as that bluddy silly yellow face. Sorry.

 

You do it like that!

 

Easy really. Just below the panel where you type the message, click on "Options" then untick "Enable emoticons?"

 

(see - no silly yellow face emoticon!)

[Hairy-Neil]

I understood that they fitted their boats with Wallas cookers ---- why would they not work without the engine running?

 

Don't know why, but that was the case with the one we attempted to use on 'Maple'. We were advised by the engineer to have the engine running when the cooker was in use. We saw quit a bit of him as they came out to us every day for the first five days, the last time was to collect us after the boat filled with acrid smoke.

 

It seems they had teething troubles with the cookers.... CLICKY

[tree]

Good luck and best wishes

[Ange]

When we were hiring the sole criteria for our choice of hire company was whether they accepted Tesco Clubcard Vouchers as a means of payment as that was the only way we could afford a hire holiday. We just wanted a boat that floated with the basics for living aboard for a week.

[Josher]

Maple must be well known by the tunnel keepers at Harecstle, relegated to the back of the group going North - something to do with not wanting to draw fumes over the other boats once the fan was switched on.

[jelunga]

YES

The fleet has a few stunning traditional boats, beautiful chugging engines in the engine room like a warm beating heart. These have been badly marketed though, for next season these will all be tidied up, make sure they’re solidly reliable and probably grouped into a traditional fleet so people can easily understand that these are the heritage boats. What do you folks think of that idea?

That is a good idea. Make it clear you are hiring a trad style boat or a modern Delux type boat. Ensure everything works , is clean and well equipped. Outside paint in good nick.

When we first hired we chose the hire co that offered the best looking boats from the maintenance point of view. That was Valley Cruisers from Nuneaton. Not the cheapest. But we felt they gave what they charged for.

[Athy]

The Wagstaffs built up Valley Cruises from nothing into a highly successful business, which they have now sold. It might be worth asking Kay and Adrian how they did it, I suspect the answer would include "maintaining high standards".

[andywatson]

From the standpoint of an interested bystander:

Whenever I was asked to recommend a hire compmany I always put Valley Cruises in first place on the basis of consistently well turned out boats and conversations with satisfied customers.

Edited December 4, 2011 by andywatson

[Modge]

First of all good luck with your new venture.

 

We hired Hazel in April 2005. We found the staff at the base friendly and helpful, but when we went through the handover of the boat we found it wasn't ready. I found that some of the lights weren't working, (in washrooms, etc) so switched them all on to make sure. Several more were found to need replacing. This delayed our departure even more. Not good first impressions.

 

The boat had been fitted with a diesel cooker and heating system. To start this up we first had to start the engine. While the system was running it made an annoyingly loud click every second or so. This meant it couldn't be left on low overnight and still be able to sleep. The cooker was also awkward to use.

 

We also found that there was a 1/2" gap above the front doors, which made the front cabin a bit chilly, especially as we had a little snow towards the end of the week.

 

On the second or third day we had to call an engineer out to sort out a leak in a pipe above the hot water tank. This had obviously been there for a considerable time as the floor below was absolutely rotten.

 

Again towards the end of the week we were heading back to the base when the engine kept on cutting out. We did manage to restart it, but it was a bit disconcerting.

 

The "comments" sheet at the end of the holiday was the longest we'd ever filled in.

 

We did see Hazel the following year when we were on a different company's boat, still chucking out loads of black smoke from the engine. But when we passed Middlewich's boatyard the year after, we did notice that Hazel was being gutted for what seemed to be a complete refit. I hope they got rid of that annoying diesel heating system!

 

As others have said, we don't necessarily look for luxury in a boat, but comfort, practicality, reliability and now masticating? toilets are what we look for.

Edited December 4, 2011 by Modge

[Grace and Favour]

When we were hiring the sole criteria for our choice of hire company was whether they accepted Tesco Clubcard Vouchers as a means of payment as that was the only way we could afford a hire holiday. We just wanted a boat that floated with the basics for living aboard for a week.

 

OFF TOPIC

 

S'funny Ange - - that's exactly how we hired our first NB holiday (paid for entirely by Tesco)

So were the following three holidays

 

So taken were we that we bought our own boat - - lovely innit?

[Midnight Rider]

Don't know why, but that was the case with the one we attempted to use on 'Maple'. We were advised by the engineer to have the engine running when the cooker was in use. We saw quit a bit of him as they came out to us every day for the first five days, the last time was to collect us after the boat filled with acrid smoke.

 

It seems they had teething troubles with the cookers.... CLICKY

Yes HN I have a Wallas oven/hob & posted on that thread. I would not have thought that they are entirely suitable for a hire fleet --- they do take a bit of getting used to.

 

However we have never had to run the engine in order to cook.

[journeyperson]

As others have said, we don't necessarily look for luxury in a boat, but comfort, practicality, reliability and now masticating? toilets are what we look for.

 

I think it's mascerating. Could have been worse!!

[rjasmith]

I think it's mascerating. Could have been worse!!

 

Yes - for one horrible moment I too had a vision of a toilet in the corner of the bathroom masticating away by itself after it had been used!

 

Richard

[Laurie Booth]

Good to see they only charge 17.5% VAT. They must have done a good deal with Customs & Excise

[Modge]

I think it's mascerating. Could have been worse!!

 

That's why the question mark. I didn't think it was right, but couldn't remember the correct term!

[pinkoi]

I live in an ex Middlewich hire boat from the 70/80's so I care about this on a few levels.

 

Firstly I have emailed the company under the former management a few times without acknowledgement.

 

In my opinion I would be sad if the name went, surely there has to be some value in being able to show a long established company line.

 

As already mentioned multiple times before in the thread, perhaps there is a market for basic but serviceable boats.

This would allow more families to get into narrowboats if it's affordable and perhaps school parties as well ( I believe our boat was frequented a lot by scouts and guides, as it was a "camping" boat ). As people become more environmentally aware they are holidaying in this country again, in droves, if it can be a reasonable price against other uk holiday options.

 

Having simple cheap to hire boats give your the means to entice in customers for your posher boats in the future.

 

Our boat is simple by house and most modern boats standards, but there must be a way to market simplicity as a good thing.

 

Helen

[jelunga]

The Wagstaffs built up Valley Cruises from nothing into a highly successful business, which they have now sold. It might be worth asking Kay and Adrian how they did it, I suspect the answer would include "maintaining high standards".

Do you know why they sold it? Unless it was part of the plan. Did they also sell the Victron business as well as the small shop there?

 

I think their main success was due to three things

1) High standards of maintenance and cleanliness/equipment

2) making the customer feel special

3) ok only two things

[Ribbit ribbit!]

We hired Rowan in 2010. Same comments as before, we don't mind basic but she was, frankly, a bit shabby.

 

The loo wasn't foolproof in that, unless you thought about it, it was possible to get the flushing mechanism stuck, thus emptying the entire contents of the water tank into the toilet tank. I managed to do it twice!

 

The first time I got a big telling off (I'm trying to put it politely). The second time the rest of the crew were so chilled out by the canal holiday experience that I hardly got a mutter!

[Hairy-Neil]

Yes HN I have a Wallas oven/hob & posted on that thread. I would not have thought that they are entirely suitable for a hire fleet --- they do take a bit of getting used to.

However we have never had to run the engine in order to cook.

 

 

Modge said similar in post No. 62... Clicky

 

I believe the problem was to do with the cooker failing to light or going out/resetting if the voltage dropped below a certain figure. Do you run a large bank of leisure batteries? The hire fleet don't.

[Ray T]

Narrowboat Hirers please help

 

I have just bought a great name in the narrowboat hire industry

 

MIDDLEWICH NARROWBOATS

 

I have been a customer with this company myself many times over the last twenty years and always had a fantastic time but I have heard mixed reviews from recent hirers.

 

I really would like to understand the company's reputation.

Have you hired from us? What can you tell me about our reputation? Would you hire again, why?

 

Any other advice gratefully received. There is a lot to do at Middlewich Narrowboats for next season to make sure that our hirers have a great time, It will be done. Thank you all for your help

 

Greg

 

Mrs T and myself hired Willow in October 2008. After hiring from BP were we in for a shock.

 

The boat was very tired.

 

As has been mentioned, that dreadful diesel cooker, to make toast we were told to put the bread on the hotplate.

 

The boat had been re ballasted- paving slabs and blue bricks lying on the floor in various locations around the boat

 

Very little storage space for food

 

The whole boat stank of diesel

 

The cushions were threadbare

 

Central heating was hit and miss

 

Grubby wet room / shower the floor of the bathroom was the base of the shower

 

We managed 24 hours on the boat and had to return it as my mother was critically ill at the time and the hospital suggested we return home.

 

Not that they were bound to, but the yard offered us nothing on return of the boat. (we had it booked for two weeks)

 

We now have our own narrow boat so re hiring does not come into the question.

Edited December 4, 2011 by Ray T

[Tacet]

Whilst suffering a boating interregnum in 2008, we hired Larch from Middlewich narrowboats. It was a great boat, with a boatman's cabin, engine room and traditional controls. It was not to the latest spec, but personally that is not an issue although it doubtless hirers should be made aware of a more specialised offer. The hiring charge was very reasonable -albeit we took a very late booking.

 

Larch had a gas cooker - but the second cylinder was found to be empty when needed; the firm did turn out quickly when advised.

 

Ian

[AliG]

We hired from Middlewich in 2007 when our planned hire was cancelled due to flooding on the Thames, as it was very short notice we took what we could find, which I think was Almond, it was one of the smaller narrowboats. Like many of the other comments, we found the boat to be very tired, there was damp/mould patches in various places, the seating was threadbare, the curtains were awful and the boat smelt musty. I will also go along with other comments about the diesel cooker, it was difficult to use and toast - well forget it warm bread was the best we ever managed. I also seem to remember that the boat was not ready on time. We had been hiring for many years and this was the worse we had experienced, one we didn't repeat. So to sum up, what we looked for was clean, well presented, good customer service and at reasonable price.